Village of the Masters: new Russian cartoons promote virtues of village life in Dagestan

A new series of cartoons promoting the traditional values of village life in the Russian Caucuses will soon be reaching thousands of schoolchildren under a new, government-backed initiative.

Village of the Masters will follow the adventures of a city teen forced to give up his gadgets and live in a remote mountain settlement in the Russian republic of Dagestan.

The idea, which has been in development by local animation company Altus Studio for several years, was given a new lease of life thanks to a 2.1 million ruble ($35,600) grant by the Russian government.

The team behind the show says it will promote “basic humanitarian values”, as well as teach local children about Caucasian history and culture.

The cartoons will be shown in 1,500 schools in Dagestan, as well as local cinemas. The first three series will be released in 2018.